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Page 272
her in a most singular way. There could not be a better time for his arrival.
Alinor had, of course, hoped it would happen this way, but there had been no way to arrange it surely. She knew her huntsmen would not leave the man in the forest until it was light, for fear the beasts that roamed there would harm him, but after that all was conjecture. How long would he take to free himself? How long would it take him to find Roselynde? How long would be needed to convince the castle guards to let him enter, all ragged and dirty as he must now appear? Alinor's eyes rested on Ian a little ahead of her and to her left. If this was the king's messenger, God had truly given his blessing to this marriage. Ian would be shielded by the evidence of strong witnesses from having had any desire to flout the king's wishes. After all, how could he know that the king had other plans for the lady he had married if the messenger carrying the information had not arrived until after the wedding.
A quick survey of other possibilities for the disturbance left Alinor with little doubt as to how she must act. As soon as the last "Fiat!" died away, she stepped forward.
"Who broke the peace of this swearing?" she called sharply. "Let him be brought forward."
Ian, who had been looking at his vassal, had not noticed the brief swirl of activity at the end of the hall. From the surprised looks and random head turnings, Ian judged that few others had noticed either. He put a hand on Alinor's arm.
"Be gentle," he warned her. "This is not a day for severity."
"I am not angry," she declared, not loud, but in a clear voice that would definitely carry to the important witnesses who stood just in front of the daisthe three bishops, the earls, and Lord Llewelyn. "I am concerned. Yesterday, during the entertainment after dinner, one of my foresters brought me the king's seal and a demand

 
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